On 29–30 April 2025, the Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) Ermera Branch successfully installed Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Urahou and Leimea-Leten Villages, located in the Ermera Municipality. This vital initiative aims to strengthen community resilience and improve disaster preparedness in these vulnerable areas.
According to Eujulmeiro Guterres, CVTL’s Safer Disaster Risk Reduction (SDRR) Project Officer, the purpose of the installation is to deliver timely alerts during emergencies, allowing residents to take precautionary actions before disasters strike. “The objective of this activity is to provide early warning information to communities during disasters, help them prepare in advance, and reduce risks to keep people safe,” he said.
João Tavares, the village secretary (PAS – Pessoal Apoiu Suku) of Leimea-Leten, expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting its positive impact on the local population. “We are very happy with the CVTL program. The system benefits the community in many ways. People receive information early and are able to respond quickly. As a result, communities are better prepared and safer during disasters,” he stated.
This community-based disaster risk reduction effort is benefiting a total of 3,477 people — 2,010 in Urahou and 1,467 in Leimea-Leten. The installation of the EWS was made possible through the support of the American Red Cross (AmCross), reflecting strong collaboration in enhancing safety and resilience at the grassroots level.
